Residents can vote early or absentee by requesting a ballot, completing it according to the enclosed instructions, and returning it in the provided envelopes. Absentee ballots must be returned by Election Day to be counted.
Absentee voting options include receiving a ballot by mail, voting in person, or using agent delivery for eligible voters. Residents who are overseas or active-duty military can also vote absentee.
In person absentee voting locations for March 10 township election
Dakota County voters can cast absentee ballots in person at the following locations from Feb. 6–March 9.
- Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings
Monday through Friday, Feb. 6–Monday, March 9, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m.–noon
Monday, March 9, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
By mail
To request an absentee ballot for 2025 elections, use the online Minnesota Absentee Ballot Request or one of the following downloadable applications:
Absentee Ballot Application
Large Print Absentee Application
Permanent Absentee Voter Application
Return the forms by:
- Mail to:
Dakota County Elections
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033-2343
- Email scanned document to
elections@co.dakota.mn.us
- Fax to
651-438-4391
- Bringing application to a county or municipal office
Mailed absentee ballots
For most elections, the first absentee ballots are mailed 46 days before Election Day. For March township elections, ballots are mailed 30 days before Election Day.
When your ballot arrives:
- Read the instructions that come with your ballot carefully.
- Find a witness when you vote and complete your ballot. The witness can be either a U.S. citizen at least 18 years old on election day or a notary.
- Return the ballot right away in the provided envelopes.
Your ballot must be returned by Election Day to be counted.
Agent delivery
In special situations, you may ask an agent to pick up and deliver your ballot materials in the seven days prior to an election day. To qualify for agent delivery, you must meet one of the following:
- Live in a nursing home, assisted living facility, residential treatment center, women's shelter or group home
- Be hospitalized
- Be unable to go to the polling place due to incapacitating health reasons or disability.
An agent must be over the age of 18, have a personal relationship to you, and cannot be a candidate on the ballot.
For more information and the appropriate forms, go to
mnvotes.org.
If you’re not registered
If your registration is not current or complete, a voter registration application will be included with your absentee ballot materials. The completed voter registration application must be returned with your voted ballot.
Options for uniformed & overseas citizens
Voters who are overseas including those in the military, their spouses, or others can vote by absentee ballot using the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. For more information, go to the
Minnesota Military and Overseas Voters website.
Military personnel, their families and citizens living outside the United States (including Canada and Mexico) may have application requests submitted by the voter, voter's parents, spouse, sibling or child over the age of 18 years. Applications can be submitted online or in person at the Administration Center.
Additional voting information and resources for Americans living abroad can be found at the Administration Center or the
Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.